Clearwater Environmental Action Director To Retire

Manna Jo Greene Set To Retire From Clearwater After 22 Years With the Organization

BEACON, NY – Hudson River Sloop Clearwater announces the retirement of Environmental Action Director, Manna Jo Greene, effective May 31, 2023. Greene’s ties to Clearwater extend far beyond her tenure as Environmental Action Director. As a teenager, she was first introduced to Clearwater at a Pete Seeger concert and she went on to volunteer with Toshi Seeger as a “litter picker” at the Great Hudson River Revival for many years. In 1998, Manna Jo joined the Clearwater Board of Directors and stepped into her current role in the organization two years later. 

Clearwater celebrates Manna Jo’s indelible contributions to Clearwater and her illustrious career as a protector of the Hudson River. Executive Director David Toman commented, “I have been grateful for Manna’s leadership as we’ve navigated the changing environmental landscape together. While it is with a heavy heart that Clearwater says farewell to Manna Jo Greene, we know that her commitment to making our communities cleaner, greener, and safer will not end here.”

For almost a quarter century, as head of Clearwater’s Environmental Action Department, Greene has been the architect of Clearwater’s contemporary engagement in environmental issues based on sound science. She has prioritized creating opportunities to facilitate community understanding of environmental issues.  As a Clearwater representative, Manna served as a local community liaison to communities on the western shore of the Hudson in the movement to stop the proposed expansion of Danskammer Energy LLC’s gas fired energy plant and on the Stop Danksammer Coalition. Between 2008 and 2013, Manna facilitated Clearwater’s Green Cities Initiative through the Mid-Hudson Sustainability Planning Consortium that created programming in priority communities around watershed protection and sustainable development and initiated groundbreaking work on Environmental and Climate Justice. Manna Jo has also been a regional leader for decades on the effort to close the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, NY and to this day works to ensure the safest possible decommissioning of the facility.  

In maintaining the organization’s advocacy efforts throughout the years, Manna Jo built a framework of environmental activism rooted in collaboration that stands on the shoulders of past Environmental Action Directors, including John Cronin, Tom Whyatt, Sarah Johnston, Bridget Barclay, David Church, Michele Monjeau, Laura Haight, Andy Mele, Andi Weiss Bartczak, and of course, Pete and Toshi Seeger. As recent news has shown, Clearwater’s legacy in advocacy issues on the Hudson is still very much at the forefront of today’s conversations around protecting and preserving the river. Through her direction, Manna Jo leaves Clearwater in high standing as we tackle the ongoing issues relevant to our mission. A search for the next leader of Clearwater’s advocacy platform is ongoing. Clearwater thanks Manna Jo for her esteemed leadership during her tenure and wishes her all the best in her retirement.